A Bridgewater man charged with molesting a woman after a party in Shrewsbury denied a felony charge Tuesday.

Andrew J. Stevens, 26, pleaded innocent in Rutland criminal court to a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct, which carries a potential maximum penalty of five years in jail. He was freed on $25,000 bail.

He was arrested Monday after a woman told Vermont State Police that Stevens followed her as she was leaving a party Sunday night on Cheerio Hill Road in Shrewsbury and grabbed her from behind, according to court records.

The woman managed to free herself, police said, but Stevens grabbed her again and knocked her to the ground and shoved his hands under her clothes.

When she tried to call for help, the woman said Stevens put his hand over her mouth.

Eventually, the woman was able to call for help and was released, police said.

Police said Stevens, who said he drank at least eight beers at the party, denied assaulting the woman said he followed the woman to her car because he wanted to ask her to have sex.